Tropical Storm Haikui Nearing Japanese Islands – August 4th, 2012

Late on July 31, a tropical disturbance formed within a large monsoon trough. On August 1, the JMA mentioned the system as a tropical depression southeast of Iwo Jima, and the JTWC issued a TCFA late on the same day. Late on August 2, the JTWC upgraded it to a tropical depression, before the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm and named it Haikui early on the next day. Early on August 4, the JTWC upgraded Haikui to a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Haikui (12W) is now nearing the Japanese Islands. The system was last located 460km east southeast of Okinawa and could begin affecting the region as early as tonight with squalls of rain showers moving from the east. Conditions in Okinawa, Amami, and the surrounding islands could deteriorate tonight with stormy weather lasting throughout the weekend.